A FIVE year campaign to get work carried out on an notorious accident blackspot has finally ended in success.

The A5 trunk road between Halfway Bridge and the Bryn Bella crossroads between Bangor and Bethesda has been perceived to be a particularly dangerous area because visibility at the junction is limited and the 60mph speed limit on a winding stretch of road also causes problems.

After a number of accidents, some proving fatal, work has now started to improve visibility on the Rachub-Bethesda side of the road.

Cllr Ann Williams, who has been part of the campaign, said: “The work being carried out involves moving the boundary wall back from the A5 by some 4.5 metres at its largest extent.

“This will greatly improve the visibility for traffic from Rachub when entering the A5.

“I have campaigned for many years for improvements to this crossroad, and I am extremely glad that this work is now being done.

“I am certain that the improvements being carried out now will lead to the junction being much safer in future, and to a decrease in the number of accidents in the area.”

Improvements are also being done to the footways at the junction, with the kerbs being lowered, in order that wheelchair users can cross the road more safely.

The speed limit has been reduced to 40mph on the A5 which has been extended from its present termination at Dolgoch down to Halfway Bridge.

This limit has been campaigned for by Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones AM, Cllr Williams, and by local residents.

A petition was organised by one of the residents, Alaw Jones, who lives alongside the A5, calling for a speed limit.

“The speed limit is temporary for the next 18 months,” said Cllr Williams.

“But I, and the people who live alongside the road, sincerely hope that this 40mph limit will then become permanent.

“Before this limit, many cars travelled this stretch of the road, which is full of bends, at great speed, posing great danger, and causing accidents.”

Mr Jones added: “This a welcome development, and much needed in this accident blackspot.

“I pay tribute to the local people who have campaigned vigorously for a more sensible speed limit and better visibility on the crossroads and I thank the Assembly Government for taking action.”

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said: “We are aware of concerns raised by the local community regarding safety on this stretch of road and these works form part of a package of measures aimed at improving safety along the A5 between Bangor and Bethesda.

“The scheduled works currently ongoing are to improve driver visibility and we hope they will be completed within six weeks.”